IT was cracking first day at Royal Troon with Phil Mickelson coming within a whisker of a record 62.
The popular American's birdie putt at the last lipped out so he had to settle for an eight-under 63 which equalled the lowest score in a Major.
Conditions will be tougher today so we're unlikely to see many low scores especially from the early starters who are due to face the worst of the weather.
Mickelson is now 9-2 favourite at BetVictor but there's a lot of golf to be played and in bad weather a three-shot lead is nothing.
Rory McIlroy is second favourite at 14s ahead of Martin Kaymer at 16s. Mine and Ace's antepost choice Dustin Johnson is 20-1 at Ladbrokes after startting with a 71.
Between us we also tipped eachway Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Patrick Reed and all are in contention.
A bit of wind and rain won't faze 2013 champion Mickelson and while he won't get anywhere near another 63 I'm backing him to win his threeball with Lee Westwood and Ernie Els who are battling to make the cut.
Lefty is 7-5 at betfair so can be taken as a single but I'm doubling up with another American Justin Thomas who says he loves links golf.
Jordan Spieth's pal started with four birdies and settled for a 67 which leaves him joint fourth. With playing partners David Lingmerth (73) and Kiradech Aphribarnrat (75) struggling in the best of conditions I'm backing Thomas to outscore them for the second day running. He is 8-5 at betfair.
Mr Fixit's Day 2 Threeballs
Mickelson (8.25pm)
Thomas (12.53pm)
(11-2, betfair)
Mr Fixit's Outright Bets
2.5pts win D Johnson
(9-1, McBookie, William Hill)
1.5pts ew Garcia
(28-1, McBookie)
1.5pts ew Scott
(25-1, Betfred)
1pt Westwood top English
(13-2, Stan James)
1pt Montgomerie top Scottish
(13-2, Betfred)
Ace Venturer's Outright Bets
3pts win Dustin Johnson (William Hill, 9-1)
1.5pts ew Sergio Garcia (Betway, 25-1)
1.5pts ew Henrik Stenson (Coral, 30-1)
1.5pts ew Patrick Reed (888Sport, 70-1)
1.5pts ew Russell Knox (Betfred, 100-1)
In December 2020 we sadly 
